Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

[Guest guest]

For years I was told that my symptoms were that of MS but that my MRIs were normal. Then years later there appeared some lesions and then I was told that they weren't in typical areas of the brain for MS. Now, my neuro says w/o a doubt that it is MS. This was a progression over 15 years. So now, I am finally accepting my diagnosis and learning to live with it. But for many years I kept thinking maybe I don't have MS --- and that was worse than having a diagnosis. I lost a lot of time in being proactive with my disease and making life changes to help myself. Instead, I spent years in the dark about my disease and the rest of the time (the past four years) in denial about MS. It has only been in the last year that I have begun to deal with the fact that I DO have MS and that it isn't going away and in fact it has gotten more aggressive than ever. So to all of you with symptoms but no

real evidence of lesions... I feel for you! I pray for you! The limbo or being told that it isn't MS is extremely difficult and frustrating. Blessings and well wishes to everyone! It just goes to show that they are still "practicing" medicine and that they is so much out there still to learn about this life-changing disease. Partners in MS, DeaoSharon Marsden wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these

changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes

reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for

20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted. ' in TexasSharon Marsden wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone

sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of

Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small

proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected.

According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney,

director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate

hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

[Guest guest]

Let us know what the neuro says. Good luck!hugs))Sharon Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted. ' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone

sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006 <!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of

Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small

proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected.

According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney,

director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate

hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

[Guest guest]

, thank you for writing this. As someone without a "definite" dx, it helps. Trista

Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

For years I was told that my symptoms were that of MS but that my MRIs were normal. Then years later there appeared some lesions and then I was told that they weren't in typical areas of the brain for MS. Now, my neuro says w/o a doubt that it is MS. This was a progression over 15 years. So now, I am finally accepting my diagnosis and learning to live with it. But for many years I kept thinking maybe I don't have MS --- and that was worse than having a diagnosis. I lost a lot of time in being proactive with my disease and making life changes to help myself. Instead, I spent years in the dark about my disease and the rest of the time (the past four years) in denial about MS. It has only been in the last year that I have begun to deal with the fact that I DO have MS and that it isn't going away and in fact it has gotten more aggressive than ever.

So to all of you with symp! toms but no real evidence of lesions... I feel for you! I pray for you! The limbo or being told that it isn't MS is extremely difficult and frustrating. Blessings and well wishes to everyone!

It just goes to show that they are still "practicing" medicine and that they is so much out there still to learn about this life-changing disease.

Partners in MS, DeaoSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk> wrote:

NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads:

"Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society."

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_37964.html

Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression

These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say

HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006/ v><!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis.

"We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology.

MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function.

Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability.

Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said.

Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images.

T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI.

Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said.

"This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added.

The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said.

"The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney.

However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney.

Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress.

So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said.

"The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage.

HealthDay

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

I have misplaced the link, alas, but there is new research coming out

of the Netherlands, just published, stating firmly that even the smallest

placque can cause severe brain damage and IS MS. I think that this

disease, like many others, is VERY UNderdiagnosed! Love to you all,

and to Trista and to , n

Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

For years I was told that my symptoms were that of MS but that my MRIs were normal. Then years later there appeared some lesions and then I was told that they weren't in typical areas of the brain for MS. Now, my neuro says w/o a doubt that it is MS. This was a progression over 15 years. So now, I am finally accepting my diagnosis and learning to live with it. But for many years I kept thinking maybe I don't have MS --- and that was worse than having a diagnosis. I lost a lot of time in being proactive with my disease and making life changes to help myself. Instead, I spent years in the dark about my disease and the rest of the time (the past four years) in denial about MS. It has only been in the last year that I have begun to deal with the fact that I DO have MS and that it isn't going away and in fact it has gotten more aggressive than ever.

So to all of you with symp! toms but no real evidence of lesions... I feel for you! I pray for you! The limbo or being told that it isn't MS is extremely difficult and frustrating. Blessings and well wishes to everyone!

It just goes to show that they are still "practicing" medicine and that they is so much out there still to learn about this life-changing disease.

Partners in MS, DeaoSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk> wrote:

NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads:

"Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society."

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_37964.html

Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression

These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say

HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006/ v><!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis.

"We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology.

MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function.

Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability.

Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said.

Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images.

T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI.

Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said.

"This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added.

The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said.

"The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney.

However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney.

Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress.

So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said.

"The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage.

HealthDay

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.1.406 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 9/14/2006

[Guest guest]

This neuro I went to today is the one who specializes in tremors. She said she would follow me and she would refer me to the MS clinic that is across the hall from her office(but she said he is very picky on the cases he takes) and if he won't take my case then she'll set me up with the MS study through Baylor were she still gives lectures and does research. I showed her how I was coming out of this exacerbation but I still had not regained the bladder and bowel functions I lost. Sooo, all in all, it was a good visit. She basically stated with my history and the way it was episodic you still could not rule out MS since there was just one lesion because the research facilities have the better machines that can read tissue change, in fact she almost quoted that article word for word and she also stated that 5 percent can have no lesions and you have to be in the middle of the inflammation period for it to show on the LP. There are Dr's out

there that listen. (Maybe it's cause she's a women! No offense guys, but male dr's tend to be more standoffish) ' in Avery, Texas I drove 354 miles today and am going to drive across Texas 470 miles one way tomorrow and turn around and make the same trip on Sunday. I think I have killed some brain cellsSharon Marsden wrote: Let us know what the neuro says. Good

luck!hugs))Sharon Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!) Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted. ' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always

mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research

suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are

diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a

better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop

more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical

care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

[Guest guest]

':Sounds like a good doc visit! She sounds wonderful and it makes me wish she was here in the Phoenix area. lol You certainly got some good information from her. What did she say about your tremors?hugs)Sharon Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they

refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!) Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted. ' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI

doesn't always

mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay

News) -- New research

suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are

diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a

better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop

more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical

care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

[Guest guest]

,

Glad the dr is going to help you. Prayers for a safe trip.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.htmlBreastCancerStories.comhttp://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/Angel Feather Loomerwww.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.comCheck out my other ornaments atwww.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlLots of info and gifts at:www.cancerclub.com

Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted.

' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote:

NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads:

"Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society."

http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html

Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression

These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say

HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis.

"We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology.

MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function.

Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability.

Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said.

Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images.

T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI.

Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said.

"This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added.

The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said.

"The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney.

However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney.

Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress.

So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said.

"The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage.

HealthDay

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.3/447 - Release Date: 9/13/2006

[Guest guest]

They don't know why I have the tremors, they could be MS related or they could be psychogenic. Psychogenic tremors are when a person has a tremor but it doesn't fit into the usual categories. That's me, I have to be different. The neuropsych thought it may be related to where my brain lesion was located. She said since the meds are controling them mostly we would just keep on doing what we were. She did say something about increasing my Klonipin and decreasing the Flexeril because Klonipin works on spasms to and she really didn't like her pts to be on both do to the drowsiness the cause. 'Sharon Marsden wrote: ':Sounds like a good doc visit! She sounds wonderful and it makes me wish she was here in the Phoenix area. lol You certainly got some good information from her. What did she say about your tremors?hugs)Sharon Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my

problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!) Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted. ' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote: NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a

section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads: "Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society." http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers

say HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis. "We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology. MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from

the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function. Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease. In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What clinicians don't see

on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability. Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said. Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images. T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI. Changes were more

pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said. "This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added. The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said. "The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other

assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney. However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney. Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress. So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said. "The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage. HealthDay Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

[Guest guest]

I am one of those people with a clean MRI. My neurologist

said he thinks I probably have micro lesions in my spine since that's

where most of my symptoms sound like. I haven't had an MRI in 2yrs

& I don't really know how often you should have one. It makes me

feel alot better to know that sometimes it takes a while for things to

show up. He was willing to Dx me with RR MS based on my numerous

recurring symptoms. I was on Copaxone for a year & had to quit due

to cost. (long story) Anyway I've had IV treatments twice for Optic

Neuritis.

Esposito

Colorado

"Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."

Cary Grant

Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

For years I was told that my symptoms were that of MS but that my

MRIs were normal. Then years later there appeared some lesions

and then I was told that they weren't in typical areas of the brain for

MS. Now, my neuro says w/o a doubt that it is MS. This was

a progression over 15 years. So now, I am finally accepting my

diagnosis and learning to live with it. But for many years I kept

thinking maybe I don't have MS --- and that was worse than having a

diagnosis. I lost a lot of time in being proactive with my

disease and making life changes to help myself. Instead, I spent

years in the dark about my disease and the rest of the time (the past

four years) in denial about MS. It has only been in the last year

that I have begun to deal with the fact that I DO have MS and that it

isn't going away and in fact it has gotten more aggressive than

ever.

So to all of you with

symptoms but no real evidence of lesions... I feel for you! I

pray for you! The limbo or being told that it isn't MS is

extremely difficult and frustrating. Blessings and well wishes to

everyone!

It

just goes to show that they are still "practicing" medicine and that

they is so much out there still to learn about this life-changing

disease.

Partners in MS,

Deao

Sharon Marsden wrote:

NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet:

I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to

be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads:

"Currently,

doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI

doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out

the disease.

In

fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI

results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain,

according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society."

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_37964.html Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say

HealthDay

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY,

Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle,

undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for

people with multiple sclerosis.

"We showed that these

changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are

greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with

the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher

Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The

Netherlands.

His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology.

MS

is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system

marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease

severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving

serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune

disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the

protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in

the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National

Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes

reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function.

Currently,

doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI

doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out

the disease.

In fact, a

small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that

don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What

clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can

see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that

are also potentially related to disease course and disability.

Measuring

these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better

understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more

clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said.

Using advanced

MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain

tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers

focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques)

on standard MRI images.

T1 imaging showed changes occurring

in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go

undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the

disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain

tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI.

Changes

were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary

progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness,

called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said.

"This

demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not

only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not

showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added.

The

observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical

disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests

that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part

of the patients' disability," Vrenken said.

"The tricky

part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr.

A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MRI has been a boon

to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection,

in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed

doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to

see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel

well or bad," says O'Looney.

However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney.

Some

people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen,

while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science

can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when,

or how fast the disease will progress.

So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said.

"The

ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that

happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though,

science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its

damage.

HealthDay

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Well, there ARE hereditary tremors that are benign--just attempting a

little optimism here! Love to you, , n

Re: Invisible Brain Changes (normal MRI folks--read this!)

Thanks for the report. Me and my 1 little insignificant lesion are going to the other neurologist today. I'll keep ya'll posted.

' in TexasSharon Marsden <wobbletowalk@ yahoo.com> wrote:

NOTE for those who have 'normal' MRIs and no diagnosis yet: I've bolded a section near the middle of the article because I want to be sure everyone sees it. But that section reads:

"Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society."

http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlinep lus/news/ fullstory_ 37964.html

Invisible' Brain Changes May Be Key to MS Progression

These alterations don't appear on standard brain scans, researchers say

HealthDayTuesday, August 29, 2006<!--[if !vml]-->TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that subtle, undetected changes in brain tissue affect disease progression for people with multiple sclerosis.

"We showed that these changes affect brain tissue throughout the brain, and that changes are greater for patients with secondary progressive MS than for those with the preceding phase, relapsing remitting MS," explained lead researcher Hugo Vrenken, of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

His team published its findings in the September issue of Radiology.

MS is an incurable inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by muscle weakness, numbness and loss of coordination. Disease severity can range from the relatively benign to cases involving serious disability and death. Many experts consider MS an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks its own tissues, especially the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerves. About 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In MS patients, standard MRI imaging sometimes reveals brain lesions or plaques that may reflect disease-linked changes in mental or physical function.

Currently, doctors use these images to help diagnose MS. However, an abnormal MRI doesn't always mean MS, and normal results don't necessarily rule out the disease.

In fact, a small proportion of MS patients, about 5 percent, have MRI results that don't reveal any lesions (or plaques) in the brain, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

What clinicians don't see on a standard MRI -- but research scientists can see, using more advanced technology -- are other, subtle changes that are also potentially related to disease course and disability.

Measuring these changes that fall "under the radar" could give doctors a better understanding of the disease, allowing them to offer patients a more clear-cut prognosis, the researchers said.

Using advanced MRI technology called "T1 mapping," the Dutch team compared the brain tissue of 67 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls. The researchers focused on changes in areas not showing up as MS lesions (or plaques) on standard MRI images.

T1 imaging showed changes occurring in MS in large parts of brain tissue that would otherwise go undetected. According to the findings, depending on the stage of the disease, these changes may occur in 10 percent to 30 percent of brain tissues not showing any visible damage on standard MRI.

Changes were more pronounced in patients with more advanced, secondary progressive MS than those with the less advanced form of the illness, called relapsing remitting MS, Vrenken said.

"This demonstrates that patients who are further along in the disease do not only develop more visible lesions, but that also the brain tissue not showing visible lesions becomes more affected," he added.

The observed brain changes were more strongly associated with clinical disability than were lesions visible on standard MRI. "This suggests that the changes, though possibly subtle, may be responsible for part of the patients' disability," Vrenken said.

"The tricky part of MS is the variability in progression of disease," noted Dr. A. O'Looney, director of biomedical research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MRI has been a boon to MS diagnosis since the early 1990s, allowing for earlier detection, in conjunction with other assessment tools. "It has also allowed doctors to look at the disease more objectively, by allowing them to see the damage in the brain, not just rely on whether patients feel well or bad," says O'Looney.

However, "What's missing in both research and clinical care now is a [long-term] predictor of disability," added O'Looney.

Some people can remain fully functional for 20 years before symptoms worsen, while other MS patients deteriorate quickly. Right now, what science can't tell doctors and patients at the time of diagnosis is if, when, or how fast the disease will progress.

So, any method that could predict prognosis based on brain tissue changes would be of great help to doctors, O'Looney said.

"The ultimate hope for MS patients is to stop the neuro-degeneration that happens and causes disability," said O'Looney. Right now, though, science is still unraveling just how the disease manages to do its damage.

HealthDay

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.1.406 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/449 - Release Date: 9/15/2006